Piping Plovers and Least Terns of
the Great Plains and Nearby

Legal Concerns

In Canada and the U.S., migratory birds are protected under the Migratory Bird
Treaty Act. Reproductive success data cannot be collected from piping plovers
without specific authorization; exceptions are records of nests or chicks incidental
to other censuses.

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife service (FWS) requires that persons involved in
piping plover census or research activities apply for a Section 10 subpermit
through the FWS Ecological Services field office in the state of the proposed
work. Subpermits are issued with stipulations to avoid harm or harassment of
plovers, e.g., by restricting time spent at nest sites, numbers of visits to
nests, handling of eggs or chicks, banding, or nest marking. Annual reporting
is mandatory. States may also require permits.

In Canada, federal scientific permits are required for migratory bird research
including collection, handling, and transfer of birds and eggs (both live and
dead specimens) as well as disturbance that might stem from research activities.
As in the U.S., a federal permit is required to band migratory birds; requests
to band endangered species receive special review. Research proposals, including
banding permit requests, also are reviewed by regional or local animal care
committees.

Provincial requirements for plover research vary. Alberta, Saskatchewan, and
Manitoba require project proposals and reports. Alberta also requires a collection
permit if plovers or their eggs are handled, and in Manitoba a special permit
is required for investigations in provincial parks.